The Spirit We Are Given

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. – (2 TImothy 1:7, HCSB)

The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. – (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. – (2 Timothy 1:7, VOICE)

No matter what lies before us, we need not fear. God with us grants us power, love and sound judgment to navigate whatever comes our way. He is faithful to meet us each time we call on Him, and He equips us to persevere. May we ever rise up in His provision of endurance to keep walking forward in His loving grace, to do all that we are called to do.

Fear not, beloved,

For God is with us;

With power, sound mind,

And unending love.

No matter what comes,

That which lies ahead.

God will equip us,

In love, we are led.

Take courage, dear friends,

For this brand new day;

God will be with us,

He’ll show us the way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not give us a spirit of fear, but rather You grant us power, love and a sound mind in every situation and circumstance. Forgive us for not seeking You to be our strength and stability from the onset of our storms. Teach us to earnestly seek You in all things. Lead us to love those around us as we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You to grant us Your power, love and stability, and to chase away our fear. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Live Out Love

Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. – (1 John 3:18, HCSB)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or theory. Make your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. – (1 John 3:18, VOICE)

Actions speak louder than words. People can talk about love incessantly, profess love repeatedly, but if their actions do not align, the words have no meaning. Love is most clearly shown through consistency over time. If our actions, attitudes and patterns are ones steeped in love, the goodness of God is clearly displayed to those around us. One of my favorite quotes is: “Preach the gospel always. When necessary, use words.” (St. Francis Assisi) This further supports the impact of our actions, for what we do over and over again are the things that demonstrate who we truly are. When we choose to let love lead us, the truth of what love really is, is made known. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in making gracious love our true way of life.

Lord, show us the way,

To live out Your love;

In all that we do,

With grace from above.

Show us Your kindness,

So we do the same;

May each decision,

Glorify Your Name.

Help us to love true,

Through all that is done;

Each step that we take,

To honor Your Son.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love with our lives, not just with words. Thank You Jesus, for You have shown us what it means to love with truth and actions; You touched the untouchable, loved the unlovable, healed the broken, and helped those who were unable to help themselves. Forgive us Father, for the times we have spoken empty words rather than doing what it takes to love well. Teach us to listen to Your leading so that we may learn how to live out Your love in practical and tangible ways. Show us how to love those around us in the ways that speak to their hearts most clearly. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue a life of truth that leads us to love in everything that we do. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night – a prayer to the God of my life. – Psalm 42:8

Revelation of Love

God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. – (1 John 4:9, HCSB)

This is how God showed His love to us: He sent His only Son into the world to give us life through Him. – (1 John 4:9, ERV)

Because of this, the love of God is a reality among us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him. – (1 John 4:9, VOICE)

God sent His Son so that we might understand His love and find life everlasting in Him. If we look around, the evidence of His goodness and love are all around us. Because His Son took all of our sin and shame upon His shoulders, we can walk in the goodness of His love and grace and go forth and love likewise. Time with family and friends, puppy snuggles, warmth and love and light are all reminders of God’s love that gives all and withholds nothing. May we ever seek the Lord to remind us anew of the incredible gift of His love that knows no end.

The love of the Lord,

Is our greatest gift;

Lavish sacrifice,

Our hearts to uplift.

Willingly given,

His life for our own;

So we could know Him,

He’s where love is shown.

Look all around us,

His goodness is clear;

Evidence of love,

Is always so near.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have shown us the greatest love ever given through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Your Son. Because You gave, we can know life and love in You. Forgive us for losing sight of Your love all around us. Teach us to see Your heart for us and those around us at all times. Show us how to extend Your goodness and grace to everyone we meet. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize Your love all around us and extend the same to all. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. – Psalm 36:7

Strength and Peace to the Seekers

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, HCSB)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)

God is faithful to strengthen us and supply His perfect peace when we seek Him. It does not mean that peace will necessarily surround us, but we can experience peace within us, despite our circumstances. The Lord equips us with the strength we need to navigate each new day. There is much going on in the world that screams for our attention and can easily pillage our peace. However, when we seek His strength and peace, God settles our hearts and grants us words to pray. He strengthens us and places His peace within us, despite what is going on around us. May we ever seek the Lord to be our strength and peace, and pray for strength and peace for those around us, both near and far.

God grants us His strength,

As we choose to seek;

Floods us with His love,

When we’re feeling weak.

In space of unrest,

God’s peace can be found;

He’ll fill up our heart,

Bring calm that astounds.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

To ever seek You;

Strengthen us with Your peace,

Grant us hope anew.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to strengthen us and provide Your perfect peace when we seek You. Forgive us for allowing what is going on around us to steal the peace that You place within us. Teach us to turn to You in trust, for You are our strength and the Provider of perfect peace. Teach us to lean into You. Show us how to love those around us with kindness and grace that extends strength and peace to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we ever seek You to supply Your strength and to be our peace in the chaos that comes our way. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. – Lamentations 3:25

Found in the Seeking

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – (Jeremiah 29:13, HCSB)

You will search for Me, and when you search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me. – (Jeremiah 29:13, ERV)

You will look for Me intently, and you will find Me. – (Jeremiah 29:13, VOICE)

Even when things seem the darkest or most difficult, God is near and ready to help. He is gentle and kind, and waits for us to call on Him. As we do, we discover that God is present and hears our every cry. May we ever seek the Lord earnestly, for He is faithful to be found.

In the sweet seeking, 

Photo by kinkate on Pexels.com

The Lord’s ever found;

Faithful to answer,

His love does abound.

No matter what comes,

The Lord remains near;

Our hope and our help,

Each prayer He does hear.

So call on the Lord,

Our hope, help and peace;

Earnestly seek Him,

His love will not cease.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, You are ever faithful to be found. Thank You that You are for us and You remain near. Forgive us for our lack of seeking in our spaces of need. Teach us to turn to You in all things, for You are present to help and worthy of all praise. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your love evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You with all of our heart, knowing that You are faithful forever. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always. – 1 Chronicles 16:11

Good Finds Love and Faithfulness

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. – (Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

Whoever works to do good finds love and loyalty. It is a mistake to work at doing evil. – (Proverbs 14:22, ERV)

Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust? – (Proverbs 14:22, MSG)

When we are intentional to do good with our time, talents and resources, good is what we find. God’s love and faithfulness are made evident to us. However, when we wander astray there are consequences for our bad decisions. God is a perfect father, for He lifts us up and encourages us in the ways we are meant to go, and He corrects and redirects us when we drift from the direction to which we are called. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in doing good, for His love and faithfulness are ever found by those who pursue His plan.

The pursuit of good,

Is what the Lord planned;

To love each other,

Walking hand in hand.

Where there is goodness,

There’s love and trust too;

For God equips us,

In faith to pursue.

Chase after the good,

And flee from what’s not;

Trust in His leading,

It’s how love is taught.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You and listen to how to walk in Your goodness, we discover love and faithfulness. Forgive us for diverting our time or attention from the good You intended. Please teach and lead us to live out the life of love You designed for each of us. Show us how to extend goodness to all those around us so that they may see tangible evidence of Your faithful love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we perpetually pursue the goodness You intended and praise You for the loving faithfulness that is forever found in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Turn away from evil and do what is good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

Choose to Do Good

From years ago and a different format, but the reminder my heart needs today,

Revelations In Writing

Fear not the slander,

nor malicious talk;

ready to answer,

when asked of our walk.

In our hearts, may Christ,

be proclaimed the Lord;

may hope be our hold,

the truth we afford.

With gentle respect,

and conscience that’s clear;

share the Source of hope,

so askers may hear.

He holds our right hand,

protects innocent;

shows those who slander,

His magnificence.

So choose to do good,

even when opposed;

for the final word,

is God’s to betroth.

The Lord is our help,

so be not dismayed;

provider of strength,

when we feel afraid.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed…

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What Love is Meant to Be

Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:10, HCSB)

Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:10, ERV)

Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires. – (Romans 13:10, VOICE)

When we love those around us, we are walking in obedience to all that God commands. It is love that leads us along the path that the Lord has placed before us and shows us the way to navigate well. The more that we seek the Lord and receive all that He has to offer, the better equipped we are to love each person we meet. Choosing to extend kindness, is love. Believing the best in others is love. Forgiving and not holding a grudge, is love. Caring well for those around us is love. There are countless ways that we can extend love to those around us, and make God’s love tangible in places that it has been hidden. May we ever depend on the Lord to lead us in love, so that we may walk in obedience to the greatest command and show those around us what love is all about.

Love is meant to be,

Evidence of God;

Not jaded, hurtful,

Some Hallmark facade.

True love is goodness,

Kind and faithful too;

Always forgiving,

Each day it’s made new.

Patient, generous,

Full of hope each day;

In Christ, there’s enough,

To love the Lord’s way.

For as we choose love,

We do as we should;

We love others well,

And show God is good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and command us to love. Thank You that as we love You and love those around us well, we are walking in obedience to all that You command. Forgive us for each time that we have fallen short and not loved as You call us to do. Teach us how to lead with love in all that we say and do. Show us how to express Your love best to those around us, so that they might recognize Your heart in our every word and deed. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to love our neighbors as You intended. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. – Psalm 86:5

Love in the Knowing

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. – (1 John 4:7-8, HCSB)

Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. – (1 John 4:7-8, ERV)

My loved ones, let us devote ourselves to loving one another. Love comes straight from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and truly knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. – (1 John 4:7-8, VOICE)

To love people is an extension of knowing and loving God. Without Him, we know not love, yet with God, we learn to love as He first loved us. Real love comes from God alone, and as we reach out and love others, we make God’s love tangible to those around us. May we seek the Lord to lead us in His love, and reach out to extend the same to those around us. Let love be the motivation that leads us in all that we say and do.

To love each other,

 A gift from the Lord;

The more we know Him,

The more is outpoured.

Choose seek the Lord first,

To receive and give;

Abundant His grace,

Each day that we live.

Lord, help us love well,

As we’re made to do;

May the love we give,

Point straight back to You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are love, and as we know You, we are filled to overflowing so that we might love too. Forgive us for the times that we have not sought You to lead us in love. Teach us to turn to You in trust, for You are faithful to show us how to love in every situation and circumstance. Show us how to love each person we encounter in a way that makes Your heart tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love all as You first loved us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

We love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

The Process of Perfect Love

Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us. – (1 John 4:11-12, HCSB)

That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal – it is made perfect in us. – (1 John 4:11-12, ERV)

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and His love becomes complete in us – perfect love! – (1 John 4:11-12, MSG)

God’s love changes our hearts and transforms our minds so that we too, might love as He loves. As humans, we are subject to sin and falling short, so the process of being transformed is one that requires an entire lifetime. That being said, it is a process that is well worth the while. When we allow God’s love to reconstruct our hearts and minds to more clearly reflect His own, we have the opportunity to show God’s love to all those around us. In this space of loving as God loves us, we can become His representatives of what love ought to be. The challenge is that when we do not choose to act in love, we are responding as the world does, and discrediting the heart of God for others. I say that not to bring shame, but rather to encourage each of us to seek to love God and love people (His creation) as He loves us. We all fall short, but what we do with our shortcomings makes all the difference. Are we quick to apologize and make amends, or do we ignore and let things go that can create a divide? The more I seek the Lord, the more I see opportunities all around me to show evidence of His love. Love is patient and kind, it rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. It does not envy, is not boastful or conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love never ends and has set before us the way to love well. (see 1 Corinthians 13) May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love so that those around us might experience for themselves the goodness of God.

The love of the Lord,

Is greatest of all;

For it lifts us up,

Each time that we fall.

It brushes us off,

And fills us again;

Overwhelms with good,

As each day begins.

Press in, keep seeking,

For God’s always found;

Perfect love won’t fail,

Hope in Him is sound.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You fill and equip us to love like You as we seek You and depend on You. Forgive us for our shortcomings and failures when we did not choose love. Lead us in Your kindness so that we may love as You love each of us. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your perfect love tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and love those around us as You intended. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

This is My command. Love one another as I have loved you. – John 15:12